Events

Last year, we saw how Iloilo’s ConQuest Festival grew so big that it got international attention. Guess what: They’re ready for an encore. Organizer ISC Events partners with Globe once again for the 4th ConQuest Festival to be held at the Iloilo Convention Center on the weekend of July 4-5, 2020. CONQuest2019 Cosplayers [Photo Handout] Dubbing itself “the largest enthusiast event in the country,” ConQuest has proven itself to bring a pop culture boom in the region - from gaming, anime, comics, technology and vlogging. ...

Otakufest 2019 at SM Seaside City Cebu. Recently, Netflix got the rights to release 21 Studio Ghibli films in most territories. Speaking of Ghibli, what’s the next event to have that kind of theme? Cebu’s Otakufest. I am returning to Cebu for the fourth time to witness this year’s Otakufest, happening at the Maze Garden of SM Seaside City Cebu on the weekend of February 23-24, 2020. Previously, the venue is stated to be held at UP Cebu in Lahug, but due to the recent outbreak and scare of COVID-2019, the Otakufest team made big leaps to proceed with holding the event. ...

Over the span of almost three years, Hypnosis Microphone has grown to have its own anime series coming this year. Last year, an event was organized for the avid fans: Hypnosis Underground (HypUG). Hypnosis Underground fan event https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKivU2t9_pU The first HypUG held at One Corporate Center in Ortigas went so well that it warranted a second installment. Last year’s event was done in a bar setup, but this year’s edition has another addition: Water. Lots of it. I think this is more of a pool episode rather than a beach episode if I say so myself. ...

Kiong Hee Huat Tsai! This weekend (January 25-26) is Otaku Expo 2020 at Megatrade Hall 1 of SM Megamall. I’ve been invited by Ozine to feature the event on keepsakes. The event’s guests include illustrator Nao Shirahane (DMYO), who did illustrations for Danny Choo’s Culture Japan, DJMAX, Battle Spirits, Soccer Spirits, and much more. She has been through many countries including Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Germany, and USA. This is her second time in the Philippines. ...

It’s been so long since Otaku Expo has established itself to be one of the much-awaited hangouts for the casual otaku at SM Megamall’s Megatrade Hall, and they will be there once again. On the weekend of January 25-26, coinciding with the Lunar New Year weekend, Otaku Expo presents its “Anime and Manga Drawing Special.” In the invitation sent to keepsakes., the Ozine Team which also organizes Otaku Expo said that this event is focused on creation: ...

The Anime Idol Convention (AICon) which started last year comes back with the same anime idol fan goodness that we love. Returning at AICon 2020 are the Mr. and Ms. AICon Individual Cosplay Competition, AI-Live! Singing Competition, and Beat Master: Cosplay Dance Competition. ✨ Mr. & Ms. AICon Individual Cosplay Competition 2020 Performers: http://bit.ly/AICon2020MMA ✨ AI-Live Singing Competition 2020 Performers: http://bit.ly/AICon2020AiLive ✨ Beat Master Cosplay Dance Competition 2020 Performers: http://bit.ly/AICon2020BeatMas ...

ARCHcon 2019, the annual Anime, Role-playing, Comics and Hobbies Convention held last November 16-17 at J Centre Mall Convention Hall gathered thousands of anime, cosplay, role-playing fans and hobbyists for a weekend of activities. On this feature, we will be running down the highlights of this year’s event which has the future-looking theme of “ARCHLight.” Thousands of visitors In line with this year’s theme, ARCHcon took on a different route in handling their entry process, focusing on lessening the use of paper tickets. They have partnered with Symph to implement a ticketing system that uses facial recognition. ...

Drop downs welcome you to the show floor [Photo Handout] Capping off the busy weekend going from place to place, I went to Axon inside Green Sun Makati last November 10 to witness perhaps another first in my life. The Melody Road 2019 Chamber Orchestra Concert Series gathered anime fans young and old for a night of anime nostalgia, playing pieces from the classics such as Howl’s Moving Castle, Digimon, and even Kimi no Na wa. ...

Just last February this year, I went to Cebu for Otakufest 2019. That is my second time to do so - and I learned a lot. This November, I’m about to get back to Cebu - this time to witness ARCHcon 2019 (Anime, Role-Playing Games, Comics and Hobbies Convention). I know I’ve written about the 15th ARCHcon last year, so let me quote what I mentioned before: “What started as an open-to-the-public school activity of the then Sacred Heart School — Jesuit ‘Alternate Hobbies Club’ has grown to cater hobbyists from Cebu and the Visayas region.” ...

Melody Road 2019 is fast approaching. Before we witness their anime feature concert on Sunday (November 10) at Green Sun Makati, I asked this year’s Radical Dreemers ensemble a few questions about their love of music and perhaps their future. (Now, this piece is intended for you readers outside the Philippines - maybe someone, anyone from the west or the northeast parts of the world may be reading this - so I took the liberty to translate some answers.) ...